Blackman senior linebacker Keionte Newson fell in love with the University of Texas at San Antonio during a visit this week.

On Friday, Newson announced he has committed to play at UTSA.

"Coming down here (San Antonio) is what really capped it off," said Newson. "It's gorgeous here. They have great coaches. I think I'll fit in well."

Newson is in his first year with the Blaze, having transferred from Brighton during the offseason.

He played cornerback at Brighton last season but with his 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame, colleges have been looking at him as a future linebacker, a position he will play (along with wide receiver) with the Blaze in 2019.

Riverdale's Xaylyn McKinnie celebrates his catch with teammates after making a catch and running with the ball during Riverdale's Tate Mathews 7-on-7 Tournament on Thursday, July 11, 2019. HELEN COMER/DNJ

"I wasn't planning on playing linebacker until I transferred," said Newson, who had two interceptions and a fumble recovery last season. "But I prefer it now. I see the potential I have at linebacker. I see how far it can take me as I further my career.

"(Colleges) said I'm big enough to play linebacker. It's always been in the back of my head, but I never played it until I got to Blackman."

Newson chose the Conference USA school over Air Force, UT-Martin, Southeast Missouri State, Western Illinois, Illinois State and Austin Peay.

UTSA's C-USA rival MTSU had not offered Newson, he said. "I went to camp (at MTSU), but never heard much back from them."

Newson said UTSA coaches liked "how well I changed direction and the way I grab information and go with it the first time instead of having to be constantly told."

His interaction with coaches, the campus and UTSA players helped him make his decision.

"Probably one of the most hard-working and talented guys I met was a linebacker," Newson said. "He was in the film room. Coaches were telling him, 'You've got to go, you've been in here too long.' I need people like that around me when I'm that far from home."

Newson is listed by the 247Sports Composite as a two-star outside linebacker (173 in the nation at his position, No. 97 in Tennessee overall).

He had 43 receptions for 913 yards and 10 touchdowns during his junior year at Brighton.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

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